Stipulations of Sanitizing Your Toothbrush

Did you know that your toothbrush houses billions of germs? So, there is nothing wrong with clearing away the bacteria from time to time. Just be sure to do it in the proper way. Here are some do’s and don’ts to consider.

– First, it should be said that you need to get a new toothbrush at least every three to four months. This is the typical amount of time that it takes for the bristles to become all fritzed and frazzled. If this happens earlier than every three to four months, get a new one earlier, or maybe not brush so hard.

– Next, you should try and keep your toothbrush isolated. That means, don’t store it with other roommates toothbrushes where they can bump heads or in other ways contact each other and share bacteria. If you are one of those families that uses a cup or a holder of some kind to put all the toothbrushes in, find something that separates them better.

– Using the dishwasher to clean your toothbrush is asking for a disaster. Either you will ruin your toothbrush, which was just not designed for that, or you will wreck your dishwasher when the toothbrush melts into the inner workings.

– Closed containers are no good. Keeping a toothbrush sealed up too tightly when wet will only make bacteria and mold grow. Air out your toothbrush by storing it upright and outside a sealed container.

– Rinsing your toothbrush under warm water for 5-10 minutes after you brush is really all that you need to do to clean it, but if you want to drop a dab of antibacterial hand soap on it for good measure, that is acceptable. Just make sure that you rinse out the soap before brushing… Unless you have a potty mouth that needs to be cleaned out..

If you’re interested in learning more about oral health, call Dr. Alex Osovsky and our helpful team at Dental Esthetics of Buffalo Grove. Phone: 847-465-9676. Make an appointment or come by our office in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.